Taking some medications, such as certain diuretics, antibiotics, or chemotherapies. These medications can increase the loss of magnesium through the urine.

How much magnesium do I need every day?

A normal amount of magnesium in the blood is 1.4 to 2.2 mEq/L. If your magnesium level is low, your doctor, nursepractitioner (NP), or physician assistant (PA) may give you a prescription for a magnesium supplement to take by mouth or you may be given it through an IV.

Age
(years)

Males
(mg/day)

Females
(mg/day)

Pregnant Females
(mg/day)

Lactating Females
(mg/day)

1 to 3

80

80

N/A

N/A

4 to 8

130

130

N/A

N/A

9 to 13

240

240

N/A

N/A

14 to 18

410

360

400

360

19 to 30

400

310

350

310

31 or older

420

320

360

360

What are food sources of magnesium?

Eating foods with magnesium can help increase the amount in your body. Eating a variety of whole grains, legumes (such as peas and beans), and dark green, leafy vegetables every day will help you get your daily recommended amount of magnesium. The table below lists a variety of foods and the amount of magnesium in each one.

Food

Serving Size

Amount of Magnesium (mg)

% DV*

Halibut (cooked)

3 ounces

90

20

Almonds (dry roasted)

1 ounce

80

20

Cashews (dry roasted)

1 ounce

75

20

Soybeans (cooked)

½ cup

75

20

Spinach (frozen, cooked)

½ cup

75

20

Mixed nuts (dry roasted)

1 ounce

65

15

Shredded wheat cereal

2 rectangular biscuits

55

15

Oatmeal (instant, fortified, and prepared with water)

1 cup

55

15

Potato (baked with skin)

1 medium

50

15

Peanuts (dry roasted)

1 ounce

50

15

Peanut butter (smooth)

2 tablespoons

50

15

Wheat bran, crude (raw)

2 tablespoons

45

10

Black-eyed peas (cooked)

½ cup

45

10

Yogurt, plain, skim milk

8 fluid ounces

45

10

Bran flakes

½ cup

40

10

Baked beans (vegetarian)

½ cup

40

10

Brown rice (long-grain, cooked)

½ cup

40

10

Lentils (cooked)

½ cup

35

8

Avocado (California)

½ cup pureed

35

8

Kidney beans (cooked)

½ cup

35

8

Pinto beans (cooked)

½ cup

35

8

Wheat germ, crude (raw)

2 tablespoons

35

8

Chocolate milk

1 cup

33

8

Banana (raw)

1 medium

30

8

Milk chocolate candy bar

1.5 ounce bar

28

8

Milk (2% or skim)

1 cup

27

8

Whole milk

1 cup

24

6

Whole-wheat bread (commercially prepared)

1 slice

25

6

Raisins

½ cup, packed

25

6

Chocolate pudding

4 ounces, ready-to-eat portion

24

6

*DV=Daily Value. A DV is a percentage of the total daily recommended amount. A food that provides 20% of the DV per serving is high in magnesium.

How can I speak with a dietitian?

If you have any questions or concerns about your diet while you are in the hospital, ask to see a dietitian. If you have already been discharged and have questions, call (212) 639-7312. To schedule an appointment to see a dietitian, call (212) 639-7071.

Last updated: November 5, 2012

blood (blud)

A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

chronic (KRAH-nik)

A disease or condition that persists or progresses over a long period of time.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

diet (DY-et)

The things a person eats and drinks.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

dietitian (dy-eh-TIH-shun)

A health professional with special training in nutrition who can help with dietary choices. Also called nutritionist.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

IV

Into or within a vein. IV usually refers to a way of giving a drug or other substance through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. Also called intravenous.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

magnesium (mag-NEE-zee-um)

In medicine, a mineral used by the body to help maintain muscles, nerves, and bones. It is also used in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

mineral (MIH-neh-rul)

In medicine, a mineral is a nutrient that is needed in small amounts to keep the body healthy. Mineral nutrients include the elements calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

National Institutes of Health (NA-shuh-nul IN-stih-TOOTS … helth)

A federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the National Institutes of Health Web site at . Also called NIH.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

nerve (nerv)

A bundle of fibers that receives and sends messages between the body and the brain. The messages are sent by chemical and electrical changes in the cells that make up the nerves.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

nurse (nurs)

A health professional trained to care for people who are ill or disabled.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

physician (fih-ZIH-shun)

Medical doctor.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

practitioner (prak-TIH-shuh-ner)

A person who works in a specific profession. For example, a doctor or nurse is a healthcare practitioner.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

prescription (prih-SKRIP-shun)

A doctor's order for medicine or another intervention.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

schedule (SKEH-jool)

In a clinical setting, the step-by-step plan for how patients are to be treated; for example, the drug or type of radiation therapy that is to be given, the method by which it is to be given, the amount of time between courses, and the total length of treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

stomach (STUH-muk)

An organ that is part of the digestive system. The stomach helps digest food by mixing it with digestive juices and churning it into a thin liquid.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

urine (YOOR-in)

Fluid containing water and waste products. Urine is made by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and leaves the body through the urethra.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

will (wil)

A legal document in which a person states what is to be done with his or her property after death, who is to carry out the terms of the will, and who is to care for any minor children.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)